Paul Nicholls is looking forward to tackling bigger and better targets with McFabulous (Evens Favourite), who opened his account over fences with what he described as ‘perfect’ performance in the RGB Building Supplies Adier Rayner Novices’ Chase at
Exeter.
After pulling up on his debut over fences in the Grade Two Boodles ‘Rising Stars’ Novices Chase at Wincanton nine days ago, the gelded son of Milan put in a near exemplary round of jumping to leave that effort behind in the two miles and three furlongs contest.
With second favourite Camprond parting company with Aidan Coleman at the first and outsider of the quartet Merchant In Milan out of contention turning for home, it quickly became a dual between McFabulous and Unexpected Party over the final four fences.
Despite the triple Grade Two scorer giving his supporters a minor scare when meeting the last wrong it failed to halt his momentum with Harry Cobden steering the market leader to victory by nine lengths.
"Delighted" - Cobden speaks to Alex Steedman on McFabulous as well as Timeforatune
Nicholls said: “I was thrilled with that as he has jumped absolutely brilliant. It was a bit of a muddling race as those small fields often are. He will get further so we went along in front.
“Harry has fired him at the last and actually the horse was cleverer than Harry there and has popped away nicely. We can build on that a lot now.
“He just landed and slipped at Wincanton and Harry for a split second thought something had gone wrong behind so he just pulled him up but he was alright.
“To be honest with you this is a beautiful track to run around. It is hard to jump like that in front as a novice but he did everything right.
“All those things like the loose horse running about do worry you but he was brilliant jumping on the way round. He was in short and did it long. It was perfect.”
Assessing future plans Nicholls hinted at an outing in either the Grade Two Coral John Francome Novices’ Chase at Newbury on November 26 or the Charles II Novices’ Chase back at the Devon track on December 2nd.
He said: “The plan is either to go to Newbury for the three mile Grade Two, though Gelino Bello might run in that. There is a valuable three mile novice chase here in about two and a half weeks’ time so I might bring him back here.
“McFabulous and Gelino Bello would be our horses for the Kauto Star at Kempton Park but we will sort that out nearer the time.”
Timeforatune with Harry Cobden and Paul Nicholls after victory at Exeter (Photo: Graham Clark / The Jockey Club)
Listed bumper winner Timeforatune might still be a work in progress, but he appears to have the potential to provide Nicholls and owner John Hales with more big days together after getting off the mark for the season in the Samworth Novices’ Hurdle.
Although looking quite green, the 4-6 Favourite took a significant step forward for his debut fourth over hurdles at Chepstow last month when running out a facile 13-length winner to provide Nicholls and Harry Cobden with their second winner on the card.
Nicholls said: “He has got a big engine but he is still just a bit green. We went in front today but in hindsight he is probably better off with a lead. He is learning all the time.
“He has always been a green horse and that is why I didn’t run him over hurdles last season. He is a lovely horse and has plenty of ability.
“We come this way round as Harry (Cobden) said after Chepstow he wants to go this way round. He is just looking at everything.
“He will win plenty of races. We will go for another small race first to get some more experience first before looking at bigger targets.”
Elizabeth Gale and delighted connections after the young jockey
Few people left the track as happy as jockey Elizabeth Gale who enjoyed the perfect early 21st birthday present after celebrating her first winner under Rules aboard Langley Hundred to victory in the RGB Building Supplies Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle.
The 20-year-old, who has been based with winning trainer Philip Hobbs for three seasons, was seen at her most effective when driving the 4-1 chance home by a short head much to the delight of those gathered to support at the Devon track.
She said: “I don’t think I’ve felt anything like that before. It is such a relief as I’ve been riding for a bit now and that is my first winner so I’m delighted.
“He was always travelling I know that. When I saw everyone pushing in front of me I thought I need to get up there and keep going. I can’t believe how well he travelled and stayed all the way to the line.
“I’m in my third season with the Hobbs team and I’m 21 on Wednesday as well so that is a nice early present.”
Gale: "I don't really know how to describe it!"
Among those watching on was Gale’s proud mum Kelly, who described the victory as “worth the wait”.
She added: “I can’t believe it has happened. I’m absolutely delighted as we have waited 12 years for this.
“She started when she was nine pony racing and has ridden in points but she has never had a winner in either of those so this is her first winner. It was worth the wait.
“I was sick about an hour before the race. I grabbed her aunty Joanne near the closing stages, and I almost grabbed the man next to me as well!
“This is all down to her boss though as he looks after her well. We will make sure we celebrate her birthday with plenty of champagne.”
Local delight with Midnight Glance
Lovely horse" - Tom Bellamy on Midnight Glance
There are few things owner-breeder Harry Kerswell enjoys more than watching his horses in action at his local tracks and he saw his confidence in Midnight Glance vindicated with a game success in the Haynes Handicap Chase at Exeter today.
Already a three times winner over hurdles, the 7-1 chance made it fourth time lucky over fences when scoring by a length in front of Kerswell, who made the short trip up from Kingsbridge together with his family and friends to watch his pride and joy.
The 77-year-old, who first became involved with horses in the mid-1990s, said of the Alan King-trained winner: “I felt that he had a very good each-way chance.
“Our trainer thought cheekpieces might sharpen him up and the jockey (Tom Bellamy) said they did and he is a brilliant jockey.
“The horse himself, he doesn’t waste too much time in the air but at the same time he doesn’t brush them so he is very economical.
“We are really pleased as we bred him. His mother (Magical Legend) won seven for us and he has won three hurdles and a chase so we are not going to ask for too much more.
“I’m from Kingsbridge, which isn’t far away and my wife Gill is here with me and my two grandchildren and my neighbour. I felt we might just sneak it today and we have.”
Lutinebella justifies good reputation
Sally Randell is a big fan of Lutinebella
It was clear to see the affection in which Lutinebella is held by her connections following her victory in the Pasty Past The Post Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle.
After signing off last season finishing third in the Grade Two bumper at Aintree the Fergal O’Brien-trained six-year-old made up for her short price defeat on her hurdles debut at Warwick when prevailing by four and a quarter lengths under Paddy Brennan.
Sally Randell, assistant trainer, said of the successful 11-8 Joint-Favourite: “I love this filly. I didn’t worry at all after she was beaten at Warwick as she was not like one of these Irish point-to-pointers that had already jumped before in a race.
“She has been busy at home and was ready for today. I knew there were a few that were gambled on but I thought they would have to be good to beat her today. She was class.”